Panthers' Thomas on injured list, out at least two games

Leg injury unrelated to groin strain that sidelined goalie earlier in season

October 23, 2013|By Craig Davis, Staff Writer

CORAL SPRINGS — Circumstances weren't ideal for Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom to get the call to relieve his injured teammate Tuesday, with three minutes remaining in a deadlocked game against the defending champion Blackhawks.

The next call won't come as a surprise to Markstrom after the Panthers' No. 1 goalie Tim Thomas was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. Thomas injured his right leg when he went down awkwardly while making a save to keep the game tied at 2 late in the third period.

Thomas, 39, who earlier missed four games with a groin strain, will miss at least two more. He will be eligible to be activated before the Panthers host St. Louis on Nov. 1.

Veteran Scott Clemmensen was recalled from NHL affiliate San Antonio to back up Markstrom in Thomas' absence.

"We're confident that he's not going to be [out] long-term. He's a quick healer," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said of Thomas. "Unfortunate, but the short-term situation is we'll give [Clem] a call, and goaltending depth is becoming a factor in our season already."

Markstrom stopped both shots he faced during the remainder of regulation and overtime, including a tough chance on a hard slap shot. But he was beaten by Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp in the shootout, while Chicago's Corey Crawford stopped both shots he faced for a 3-2 victory.

Markstrom said it wasn't the latest he has entered a game, once getting the call in overtime.

"It's not the best way for your body to get into a hockey game. But you warm up. It is what it is," Markstrom said. "You've got to prepare, and when I'm on the bench I don't just sit there and watch the stands. You try to be in the game as much as you can. I have no problem with that at all."

Dineen said Thomas' injury is not a recurrence of the earlier one that sidelined him. He played well in three games since his return, and had stopped 25 of 27 shots by Chicago before getting hurt.

"It's a different injury," Dineen said, adding, "He played well against Boston, he played fabulous against Minnesota, and we had a really good game going against Chicago."

Thomas is coming back from taking a year off after leading Boston to the 2011 championship. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner joined the Panthers during training camp and signed just before the season began.

Markstrom has a 3.51 goals-against average in seven games. Clemmensen, who had minor knee surgery in September, was 1-1 at San Antonio.

Hit the net

The Panthers spent much of Wednesday's practice attempting to hone their accuracy following a night of scatter-shooting. They unloaded often but got just 22 shots on net against Chicago.

"Sometimes that is part of our game plan to shoot wide. But we are looking to get pucks on net and then create opportunities from there if the first one is not effective," Dineen said.

That was the objective of an unusual drill that Dineen said he lifted from the University of Denver. It involved clusters of players swarming around two separate nets set at the same end of the offensive zone, pouncing on the puck as it moved from side to side.

"It's just about quick puck movement, about using your teammates, about being sharp and being able to make plays in tight quarters," he said.

Hard-headed

Rookie Aleksander Barkov took a stick to the mouth in the third period, and there was discussion on the Fox Sports Florida telecast about whether he lost tooth after the cameras showed an opening in his lower jaw. The 18-year-old said that occurred a couple of years ago. He didn't miss a shift Tuesday.

Ownership pleased

Minority owner Doug Cifu, who has spent considerable time with General Manager Dale Tallon this week, lauded the intensity the Panthers exhibited against Chicago in rallying from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point. They outhit the champs 34-19, and had a 13-2 edge in takeaways.

Despite the 3-6-1 record, Cifu said he is "very happy" with the effort so far.